5 Games Every Dad Should Play with Their Kids
Everyone knows it is important to spend some quality time together as a family, but some authentic daddy-children time is just as important. Sure, it gives your other half a chance to breathe but forming a deep connection with your kids doesn’t materialize out of thin air.
Find some activities to do together that incorporate both your interests to make every playtime session unforgettable. Here are a few games every dad should play with their kids to create lasting memories and grow unbreakable bonds.
Dungeons & Dragons
Whether you are a seasoned DM or a first-time player, DnD is an excellent game for fathers and children. It is a game you can learn together and the game does not discriminate on gender so it is perfect for all kids. You can even gather some other dad-kid combos and have them join your party.
And forget about being labeled a nerd. DnD’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years and it’s a matter of time before your kids would have been begging to play anyway! The game has endless possibilities and you will be playing for years to come. Kids are encouraged to use their imagination like never before and intriguing characters like the 5e Sorcerer or the Bard 5e can let kids express themselves in ways they wouldn’t otherwise be comfortable with.
Mouse Trap
If your kids are still a bit young for extensive role-playing games, revert to a classic board game like Mouse Trap. You might remember it from your own childhood, but this game holds up. Dads get super into the mechanics of building the exaggerated trap and kids simply want to watch the little silver ball roll along.
If your kids love this game as much as we think they will, you might want to try and build a real live Rube Goldberg machine with them. These reaction-type contraptions will bring you hours of fun and you can create something different every time!
Escape Room
Visiting an escape room can be tons of fun but the downside is you can only visit them once. Instead, opt for an at-home escape room that can be constructed differently every time! You can order escape room kits online and get a new set of challenges every time and it can also be more age-appropriate for younger kids.
You can create one yourself with a DIY approach or you can work onto printable puzzles from any number of online sources. You can also order one-time-play kits like Escape Room in a Box or Escape Room: The Game, the latter of which comes with a super cool Chrono Decoder which is basically the child’s version of the Turing Machine.
Jenga
Ok, so this isn’t normal Jenga and this game will require a little bit of preparation but the payoff is that you will have in-depth conversations with your kids and really get to know them. Not all dads find it easy to connect with kids or start a conversation so this Jenga adaptation is a saving grace.
Take a normal Jenga set and add questions to each block. You can find conversation starter stickers online or you can think of your own questions like “What would you do with a million dollars” or “what are 3 things your friends like about you”. It combines the spontaneous fun of a Jenga game with the opportunity to get to know your kids better, and more importantly, let them get to know you.
Throw Throw Burrito
The creators of Exploding Kittens have made a crazy family-friendly card game that they label as “the world's first dodgeball card game.” You can always try your hand at normal card games like Go-Fish but why be boring when you can throw a Burrito at each other?
The game is simple and the aim is to try and make matching pairs of cards and collect points. You simultaneously want to keep your eye on the squishy burritos and launch them at your opponents throughout the game. The game serves never-ending laughs from beginning to end and the high-action gameplay might have you work up an appetite. Did anyone say it is burrito night tonight?